Tune into a noteworthy debate

Helen Brant's insightful and pertinent article in the Resources section showed how music complements the subjects in the English Baccalaureate and how those very subjects are worse off due to the absence of music ("Worthy of note", 18 November).

What is clear is that, in the long list of arguments for the inclusion of music and other creative and cultural subjects in the EBac, Ms Brant's argument is yet another indication of the problems presented by this "odd" omission, by which we have some schools stopping their pupils from studying music altogether.

The concerns have been echoed by employers' organisation the CBI, the Commons education select committee and the Government's review of music education in England conducted by Darren Henley. It cannot now be claimed that the EBac represents the desires of businesses in the UK, let alone educators or parents, with polling conducted for the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) reminding us that 91 per cent of parents believe music education opportunities should be provided by schools. As Ms Brant rightly concludes, music is "one of the only subjects which links them all together". To ignore music would undoubtedly adversely affect education.

As the professional association for musicians and a member of the Council for Subject Associations, the ISM has been opposing this policy and I urge other music educators to join us to support our campaigning activities (www.ism.org).

Deborah Annetts, Chief executive, Incorporated Society of Musicians.

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